
AbstractHybridogenesis is a sexual reproductive system, whereby parents from different genetic origin hybridize. Both the maternal and paternal genomes are expressed in somatic tissues, but the paternal genome is systematically excluded from the germ line, which is therefore purely maternal. Recently, a unique case of hybridogenesis at a social level was reported in the desert antCataglyphis hispanica. All workers are sexually produced hybridogens, whereas sexual forms (new queens and males) are produced by queens through parthenogenesis. Thus, only maternal genes are perpetuated across generations. Here, we show that such an unusual reproductive strategy also evolved in two other species ofCataglyphisbelonging to the same phylogenetic group,Cataglyphis veloxandCataglyphis mauritanica. In both species, queens mate exclusively with males originating from a different genetic lineage than their own to produce hybrid workers, while they use parthenogenesis to produce the male and female reproductive castes. In contrast to single‐queen colonies ofC. hispanica, colonies ofC. veloxandC. mauritanicaare headed by several queens. Most queens within colonies share the same multilocus genotype and never transmit their mates' alleles to the reproductive castes. Social hybridogenesis in the desert ants has direct consequences on the genetic variability of populations and on caste determination. We also discuss the maintenance of this reproductive strategy within the genusCataglyphis.
Male, Genotype, Ethologie, Ants, Genome, Insect, Parthenogenesis, Gene Pool, Social Hybridogenesis, Genetic Lineages, [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio], Sexual Behavior, Animal, Animals, Hybridization, Genetic, Female, Genetic Caste Determination, Phylogeny
Male, Genotype, Ethologie, Ants, Genome, Insect, Parthenogenesis, Gene Pool, Social Hybridogenesis, Genetic Lineages, [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio], Sexual Behavior, Animal, Animals, Hybridization, Genetic, Female, Genetic Caste Determination, Phylogeny
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 38 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
